Boot and shoe



(MofieL) S.'E.THEGKER.

Boots and Shoes.

No. 231,632. Patented Aug. 24,1880.

' Jana/E E. 172 601761,

55 W day.

N PETERS. PHOTD-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. u c.

UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SARAH E. THEOKER, OF GEORGETOWN, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BOOT AND SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters P31781313 No. 231,632, datedAugust 24, 1880,

Application filed July 13, 1880. (Model) T 0 all whom it may concern Beit known that I, SARAH E. THEOKER, a citizen ofthe United States,residing atGeorgetown,-in the District of Columbia, have invented newand useful Improvements in Boots and Shoes, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of my invention is to provideimproved means for fasteningladies and chil drens button-shoes, whereby a uniform pressure upon theinstep is secured, a neat finish is obtained, and the use ofshoe-buttoners is dispensed with.

Prior to my invention boots and shoes have been provided with a lacingconsisting of a series of tongues or flaps, respectively sewed on thesides ofthe boot-leg, completelycovering the front side of the ankle,said tongues or flaps being provided at their ends with staples orrings, through which cords were passed for the purpose of tightening theboot-leg, the object being to provide means whereby the front part ofthe ankle could be more fully wrapped and protected. Such arrangementdiffers from my invention both in construction and principle, as willnow be fully set forth.

My inventionconsists in providing the opposite edges of the flaps, atthe opening in the upper of a shoe, with rows of projecting tabs,separated a distance equal to their width, the tabs of one flap beingopposite the spaces between the tabs of the other flap, and all saidtabs being provided with button-holes, and

'both flaps of the upper having buttons to engage the same, all as morefully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoeprovided with my improved fastening. Fig. 2 is a view in detail,illustrating the fastening.

The letter A designates the upper of the shoe, which is open in front,in the usual manner, and from the opposite edges of the flaps, at theopening, project tabs B B, all of which are provided with button-holesto engage rows of buttons 0, secured to the opposite flaps. The tabs ofeach row are separated by spaces having a width equal to their own, andthe tabs of one edge are opposite the spaces of the other, so that whenthe edges of the flaps are drawn together the tabs of one edge will passbetween those of the other and button upon the buttouson the oppositeside or flap of the upper. As these tabs are'easily turned to anydesired position by the fingers, the use of shoebuttoners isunnecessary.

hen the shoe is fastened a neat appearance of the interlacing isproduced, and there is a uniform pressure upon the instep and ankle fromthe bottom to the top of the row of fastenin gs.

The improved fastening is as well applicable to cloth uppers as to thoseof leather.

What I claim is g A shoe having the opposite edges of its flaps at theinstep-opening in the upper provided with projecting tabs separated adistance equal to their width, the tabs of one flap being opposite thespaces between the tabs of the other flap, all of said tabs beingprovided with button-holes, and both flaps of the upper having buttonsto engage the same.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

.'- SARAH R. THEOKER.

J. A. RUTHERFORD.

